anathema

American  

[uh-nath-uh-muh] / əˈnæθ ə mə /

noun

• anathemas,
  plural
• anathemata
  plural

1. a person or thing detested or loathed.

   That subject is anathema to him.

2. a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction.

3. a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.

4. any imprecation of divine punishment.

5. a curse; execration.

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anathema British  

/ əˈnæθəmə /

noun

1. a detested person or thing

   he is anathema to me

2. a formal ecclesiastical curse of excommunication or a formal denunciation of a doctrine

3. the person or thing so cursed

4. a strong curse; imprecation

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• anathemas
  plural
• anathemata
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of anathema

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin, from Greek: “a thing accursed, devoted to evil,” originally “devoted,” from ana(ti)thé(nai) “to set up” + -ma, noun suffix

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Explanation

Something that one absolutely and positively cannot stand is anathema. Garlic is anathema to vampires (ditto for stakes and daylight). So is kryptonite to Superman or a silver bullet to a werewolf. Originally the term anathema comes from the Catholic practice of denouncing a particular individual or idea that was antithetical to the Catholic Church. If done to a person, it excommunicated them, meaning they could no longer partake in the church's sacraments (with presumably pretty poor consequences for the soul.) That's a lot worse than kryptonite.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anathema anathemas

But such policies would be anathema to Frenchmen young and old, immigrant and indigenous.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

As somebody who was at the DOJ for 21 years, I find that to be anathema to how I thought about public service.

From Slate ● Jun. 9, 2026

After all, the concept is considered antithetical or anathema to the Iranian Revolution, which deposed the monarchy led by the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in 1979.

From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026

A cap is anathema to the players’ union.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2025

Even though Dr. Darwin was not a religious man himself, having a son who was in the church was not an anathema to him.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

As he pronounced anathemas on you and your kind, the smile peeked out beneath the sneer.

From Slate ● Dec. 16, 2011

She utters her prophecies and anathemas as if the blood of Cassandra were coursing through her veins.

From Time Magazine Archive

The American Medical Association, which in the past has pronounced anathemas on anything sounding like medical price control, is also giving support to the Administration's plan.

From Time Magazine Archive

Theologians from both traditions eventually concluded that the 16th century anathemas were more a function of crossed wires than a denial that salvation is a no-strings-attached gift from God.

From Time Magazine Archive

All those with whom she had to do--except Doreen--were for ever prating of the Saxon's iron heel, shaking their fists at Heaven, venting dark anathemas and muttering such threats as terrified her.

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield

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